Vernon woman is killed in Interstate 287 crash in Morris County

Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerAn SUV that was damaged in an accident on Interstate 287 in Riverdale this morning sits off to the side of the road.

RIVERDALE — A Sussex County woman was killed this morning when her SUV collided with a tractor trailer as she tried to merge north onto Interstate 287, State Police said.

At 9:24 a.m., Michelle Jones, 31, of Highland Lakes was merging north onto I-287 from Route 23 south when she lost control of her 2001 Dodge Durango on the on-ramp, according to a statement from police.

Jones’ SUV hopped the curb of the on-ramp and entered the center lane where it was struck by a tractor trailer headed north. The collision caused the Durango to flip over.

Jones was taken by helicopter to Morristown Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The accident closed all three northbound lanes of I-287 for three hours, causing traffic to back up for miles.

Sgt. Stephen Jones said the early-morning wintry mix was a factor in the crash.

The driver of the tractor trailer was not cited in the accident, but Sgt. Jones said the accident is still under investigation.